Saturday, September 26, 2009

David T sent in this great shot of him and the Six Flags Spider-man, which is the best Spidey I've ever seen I might add. Love the cape, I personally used an orange towel, it's a rag now but I can't bring myself to throw it away.....

Friday, September 25, 2009

A long standing tradition on my birthday as a kid was my Grandmother taking me to the toystore to pick out amy own gift. I honestly don't remember what I chose every year but I do remember those times when I was able to pour over the aisles of Eaton's or Pinnochio's with no pressure to leave. In fact, my seventh birthday I'm pretty sure I spent the better part of two hours in a toy department. It must be the reason that I like hunting for these vintage shots so much.

Our seventh edition of Vintage Toystore photos show cases everything from Socker Boppers to Aurora Monster kits to G.I. Joe dolls, it's a fun flashback to "pre walmart" days of toy shopping and features many a long since gone independant and local chain store.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Thought I'd use Sunday to share some new links, be prepared to waste an afternoon on these because they're a lot of fun. First up is the newly launced FPLP Word, which stands for Fisher Price Little People, a line of toys that I am particularly fond of.

Mel gives another fascinating insider's look into the toy industry from initial concept sketches, prototypes, toyfair presentations right down to the final products. The story includes all the details, right to the hassles, arguments and sadly, the complete botching of what would have likely been a terrific toy line.

Even if you've never heard of Animax, you'll be sucked into the story behind them and while you're there, check out his wonderful pages about the creation of the Colorforms Outer Space Men. You'll wish Mel had created all of your favourite toys because these sites are just so rewarding to read.

Just a PS, this colorforms set (released years after the Outer Space Men were done) was one of the things that probably made me a toy collector in the first place. I spent hours staring at the box wondering the history behind these wonderful toys and where I could get them. Thanks Mel!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Oh my stars, I am happy man today thanks to the wonderful person who posted this video of his family's trip to Sea World in 1979. The resulting two minutes are both goofy and glorious as you get to see surreal images such as Aquaman and Mera gracefully waterskiing, Joker and Captain Cold performing magic tricks then getting away on a jet ski, a high dive into a pool of flames, more waterskiing and then Green Lantern's terrible run. I am a man fufilled today as the mystery is finally solved, bless you AVSEAL2012.

Check out our gallery and if you have anything to add, I'll be your friend for life.

Friday, September 18, 2009

While it could be said that Kenner was caught with it's pants down when meeting demand for toys based on Star Wars in 1977, nobody would call them slouchs when it came to the sequel, the Emprie Strikes Back. They were more than prepared to meet the demand they created by offering mysterious new characters like "Boba Fett" and "Bossk". Seeing that I was 9 at the time this stuff came out, I can honestly remember the fever it caused.

Click on the images below to be transported again to the 1980 Kenner Star Wars offerings

Thursday, September 17, 2009

I thought I'd seen everything BSG related but I honestly have never seen that Calculator before. The radio is one of the more "on model" cylon pieces I've ever seen, a lot of this stuff just didn't really look right.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

It's been too long without an appearance by the JC Penney ManMates models, so with their fists clenched proudly, I bring you three confident men who truly know the words "coordinated"! May they someday rise again!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

They may be the smoothest ladies men on the planet but make no mistake gentlemen, you do not wish to make Julius angry.

Shameless Self Promotion Department

I will be on the Mancow Radio show tomorrow morning around 7 AM EST to chat about all things 70s and polyester. If you'd like to hear what I sound like early in the morning (and you're only human), this is your chance people.

Monday, September 14, 2009

This 1976 Toy Trade ad for Remco's McDonaldland characters seems a little odd to me. While I was fond of the McDonald's commercials and had many birthdays at my local franchise, I clearly remember not understanding why there were action figures. Well made action figures at that.

However, some folks on the forums have told me these figures are very happy memories of these and honestly, that play set is pretty funky cool.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Seeing as today is the ten year anniversary of the supposed date that the moon blew out of orbit in Gerry Anderson's 1975 television series "Space:1999" I thought it would be fun to look at some of the cool merchandise that came out during it's two year run.

Above is the trading card I made using the Mego/Palitoy Catalog, these figures were the thing that turned me into an ardent "toy collector" in 1985, so it goes without saying I'm fond of them.

Above is a page from the 1975 Mattel catalog, Mattel held the license in the US and while the dolls kind of suck, their Eagle playset they made more than makes up for it. It is so full of win, click the picture to explore the gallery.

This page from the 1976 Azrak Hamway catalog shows just some of the many items they made for 1999 including many rack toys and some higher brow electronic pieces like that hard to find commander Koenig walking doll.

Of all the rack toys made, my favourite had to be the water pistol version of this stun gun, I had one as a kid and it was the closest thing to an actual prop you'd own in 1976. Space:1999 AHI Rack Toys Gallery.

Toyfair:1976 A representative from Saalfields shows off their latest offering, based on the new sicence fiction series "Space:1999" to the buyer from Bradlees. I need to review that for colouring book theatre....

Saturday, September 12, 2009

David T sent in this interesting shot from "Bugs Bunny Meets the Superheroes", the terrific trio of Batman, Robin and Wonder Woman stand tall while the Looney Tunes characters frollick, it must have been some kind of show....

Thanks David, you rock!

Visit the Mall Appearance Gallery, if you have a contribution, drop us a line!

Friday, September 11, 2009

G.I. Joe in Europe experienced a massive change in 1975, when the ladies came over! That's right, German adventurers Hard Rock, Tom Stom and John Steel were now joined by Super Peggy and Super Sandy. There was no kitchen playset in the action team, these women were full fledged adventurers!

Other surprises this year included a series of Western outfits and a soldiers of the world series both of which didn't see release in the United States.